Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-02-25

WASHINGTON LEI TER.
(From our Regular corrcspondcntJ

WASHINGTON, Feb 81, 1887.
The session is slipping rapidly to its
close and Congress is trying to make the
best use Of It's brief life by dispensing AZ
much as possible with business of pri-
vate character. Among the important
matters that have had attention during
the past week may be mentioned the
Tehuanlepec Ship Railway bill, the
Rivers and IIarburs bill snd the Sundry
Civil, The Ann-Polygamy bill, and half a
dozen measures nppropriaiing millions OF
dollars for ships of war and coast deiences.
The long cherished project Of Capt. Eads
passed the Senate by decided minority.
BY the provisions of the Atlantic and
Pacific Railroad Company, with capital
stock not 10 exceed 500, 900 900, no bonds
to be issued until the paid-in capital shall
amount TO S5,000,000. The Government,
is IN nowise committed to the proposition
pecuniarily, and makes no guarantees.
The first Mexican pension was made by
Commissioner Black on last Friday, and
the beneficiary was ex-senator Williams,
OF Kentucky. Every since the battle of
Cerro Gordo where lie greatly distinguish
ell himseli, he Inns been known as "Cerro
Gordo Williams" The application for
the allowance was filed in the Com mission
ers' Office at eleven o'clock that morning,
and the pension certificate went out in the
afternoons mail for Louisville.
The clamor for change OF Inauguration
day from the 4lh of March to the 30lh Of
April grows louder Ms the working days of
the present Congress have become alarm
ihgly few, and the danger more and more
apparent that nothing may be done toward
this desirable reform. The trouble Is that
if the proposed amendment does not get
through Congress by the end Of this ses.
sion, il can not be ratified by the States in
time TO 60 into effect as part of the
Federal Constitution in the spring Of 1889
There is no opposition to the change, but,
on the contrary everybody acknowledges
that il would be ''just lovely" 10 have the
inaugural ceremonies at the most delight
ful time Of the year. II the Republican
Senate is willing TO extend President
Cleveland's term by eight weeks, no one
Gun see why the Democratic House should
rsot be more so.
The recent broadside which Senator
Hoar aimed At his associates who were
derellct about being present at the Chap
lnin's opening prayer has had the effect oil
increasing the number of Senators in the
Chamber at that hour. Ten used TO be the
average attendance but now II is nearly
shiriy. The Massachusetts Senator has been
congi a,ulaling himself over his success
and has received warm Communications
from Chaplain Butler who, of course, deep.
ly felt The disrespest shown to the morn.
ing devotions by this unprayerful body
| Out OF the whole Senate full there are
only seven gentlemen who are always nj
prayer and show noticeable fervor. These
are Senators Plum, Blair, Hoar, Mcmillan
Teller, Brown and Cen Hawley. The
Others present seem wondering all time
how long the prayer Ia gong to last
While the Chaplain has the floor Senator
Eyaris strokes his chin and watches the
clock Senator Malone twiiches nervously
and looks over his papers on the desk
Senator Vest buttons aud unbuttons hIs
coat; another Is iwirling the ring on his
dngcr or winding his watch or carressing
his mnstache or hunting for something in
his pocket, and Senator Cali ia accused oil
tying TO make his hair stand out siy ylisl
from lis ears.
But Senator IIoar stands beside his desk
with head bent, eyes closed, and hand,
clasped. lie does not change his attitude
until the Chaplain has descended from the
presidents derk. Senator Plum usually
leans his elbow on his desk during prayer
his face resting on his hands. lie some
times converses with The Chaplain after
wards on The subject Of the prayer, which
Indicates that he must be piouSly attentive
Senator Brown of Georgia, seems to be
deeply relgions man, and he Beems 10
repeat the words after the Chaplain-ai
least his lips move constantly.
Gen. Hawley's religious devotion Ia
equally pronounced. The moment the
prayer begins he stands up. and bends his
head low over his folded arms. Some
times he remains in this position for sever
al moments afterward apparently In deep
meditation. Imagine score OF Senators
Hmoking in the Hobbies and as many more
drinking cold tea In tie restaurant beneaih h,
and the prayer scene In the United States
Senate Is complete.